Flying Adventures in France

Now that I am back in England with the British summer as per normal with wind and pouring rain, I can reflect on my recent trip to Limoges with my two colleagues from the same wet village as myself.

 

It all started with Sue Virr sending out her diary blog from her Franco Flyers site, when after having read a couple of these tempting articles , I decided that I also wanted to sample flying in France.

 

So arrangements were made for bookings at Nearlyheaven (which it truly is) and for the flight to Limoges by Ryanair.

 

The day arrived for us to embark on our trip, as expected the rain was falling quite heavily as we set off for East Midlands Airport. Upon landing at Limoges to our great surprise the rain seemed even heavier there!

 

Undaunted we found our hire car and duly set out for Nearlyheaven, somehow we managed to get lost.... navigation is so much easier by air! 

 

We eventually arrived at Nearly Heaven and settled in quickly, then off to find food with Sue's easy to follow directions, we found the bar and restaurant but the food was off  that evening only a ex pat run fish and chip van parked on the car park,  So we sampled them and they were very good.

 

Friday dawned with much of the same weather, so under grey skies we were off to a Martyr village called Oradour-sur-Glane, and spent most of the day visiting the ruins left by the SS during WW2 the three of us found this quite moving ,and well worth the visit.

Food was once again on the agenda so off we went to find a local cafe and enjoyed the local specialities.

Oradour-sur-Glane

Saturday saw an improvement in the weather although it was not yet suitable to venture too far, so a flight around the Limosin area was taken and we all we surprised by the breathtaking views so close to Limoges airfield, the flight ending with the crowning glory  a invitation to a hog roast  at the farm next door to Sue's home.

Sunday saw the dawn of wall to wall sunshine, so with a bounce in our step off we went to Aeroclub de Limoges.

 

We arrived expecting to have to pull the aircraft out of the hanger and refuel however the plane was fuelled and ready to go. We booked to take the clubs newly acquired PA28 Archer, so after a full pre flight check and boarding we were ready to begin  the long haul flight to the Millau Viaduct (1.7 hrs) via some of the most beautiful scenery I have had the pleasure to fly over, with high mountains and plateau’s and in total contrast deep tree lined gorges with rivers, large lakes, and magnificent château’s,(how the other half live) with comments like look at that and wow coming from the back seat.

 

We arrived at the viaduct about lunch time and orbited over the bridge for a photo shoot

 

Millau Viaduct

 

Then to the airfield of Millau which is yet another example of the way the French love their aviation because there in the middle of nowhere was a immaculately kept airfield, we landed after advising every one around our intention and as it was lunchtime this was done in French with perfection by Sue (well done) as we clambered out of N30385 we were buzzed by two military helicopters a fitting tribute to a wonderful flight.

A short walk to a nearby hotel and a superb lunch set us up for a return trip to Limoges.This time by a more westerley route.The scenery on this leg can only be described as stunning.France is such a huge country and its scenery can only truly be appreciated by air.

 

Monday was our final day and a trip to the coast for lunch was planned also taking in a few Islands including a landing at Ile d'Yeu, a small island situated about 25 miles off the NW coast.

 

Today, we had to move a couple of aircraft to enable us to get the PA28 out of the hangar and a quick pull to the pump for refuelling, then off we went on our trip towards La Rochelle, we diverted slightly to enable us to overfly the islands of Ile d' Oleron and Ile d' Re via the overhead of Fort Boyard .Next it was into La Rochelle in search of nourishment.

After passing through the airport security  we took a short taxi ride to the old  harbour where lunch was served outside ,we sat enjoying the warm spring sunshine and watched the numerous yachts in the harbour.

 

Next, the trip back  to N30385 and out over the sea to Ile d` Yeu, where after a strong 90 degree crosswind landing we arrived safely on this charming island. We paid our minimal landing fees, took a few photographs, then back to Limoges and the end of our trip..

 

We returned to the UK on Tuesday, upon arrival we found that England was as we had left it WET Nothing new there!

 

John Gough